Lyons Package Store Plaza zoning change approved by West Springfield Town Council

The Republican | Michael S. GordonThe owners of the Lyon's Package Store shopping plaza on Westfield Street in West Springfield received approval from the Town Council to change the zoning from neighborhood business, which allows small businesses, to business A, which permits such uses as drive-through restaurants and convenience stores.

WEST SPRINGFIELD — The Town Council has unanimously approved changing the zoning for Lyons Package Store Plaza to a designation that will allow for more flexibility.

The council voted 9-0 this week to change the zoning from neighborhood business, which allows small businesses, to business A, which permits such uses as drive-through restaurants and convenience stores.

In taking that action, the Town Council followed the lead of its Ordinance and Policy Committee and the Planning Board, both of which had earlier endorsed the zone change.

Members of the Lyons family had lobbied the Planning Board for the zone change when it took up the request involving the 1399-1425 Westfield St. property. The Planning Board endorsed the Lyons’ family’s request 4-1 and the council’s committee recommended the change by a 3-0 vote. The whole council approved the request with little comment.

Town Councilor Angus M. Rushlow, who had spoken in favor of the zone change before the Planning Board, recommended the council approve it.

“I think it is a good idea,” Rushlow told the council.

Among those opposed to the zone change were former Mayor Edward J. Gibson and his wife, Sandra L. Gibson, who spoke against it at the Planning Board’s public hearing on the request.

The Gibsons, who live at 146 Woodmont St., argued that a zone change could bring more traffic into the area and negatively affect the residential nature of the neighborhood.

Sandra Gibson cautioned that approving such a zone change could make Westfield Street more like the heavily traveled Riverdale Street.

The former mayor said changing the zoning designation could amount to spot zoning because it would be done to benefit a specific parcel that is zoned differently from surrounding parcels.

Martin C. Lyons, a trustee of Lyons Family Trust, which owns the property, argued the site would be more appealing to more potential tenants if the zoning were changed.